Free Traffic Legal Advice

Thank you, Andy, for your detailed response.

The reason I included the screenshot was due to the confusion where it states that "offense 2 has been withdrawn." I thought it would be best to share the letter for context.

As I mentioned, all my paperwork is up to date. I have lived at my current address for 16 years, and the courts clearly have the correct address as I’ve received correspondence from them by post. However, I’m struggling to understand why two letters from West Yorkshire Police never reached me.

I understand you may feel this sounds like a stretch, but I genuinely haven’t received or misplaced any correspondence. Responding to the NIP would have been in my best interest as my license was clean. I understand I could have been offered a speed awareness course or the option of 3 points and a £100 fine. Ignoring a notice from the police would be reckless, and I would have no reason to do so. I work for the emergency services and am currently undergoing response driver training, where penalty points on my license could jeopardize my progress.

You mentioned the speeding charge has no legs—does this relate to the time elapsed since the alleged offence? If so, does this mean I can no longer be charged with this offence, or could I ask the court to reopen it, thus avoiding the section 172 charge?

I’m also a bit unclear on how to proceed with the Statutory Declaration. Could you confirm if I should plead not guilty to both the original speeding offence and the section 172 charge?

Thank you again for your help.
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Thank you for your replies; I really do appreciate your help.

Upon receiving the letter from the courts, I immediately checked the car's logbook and my driving licence, both of which are correct. I also spoke to the DVLA, who confirmed that the address they hold is accurate and has not been altered for several years.

I've never had any issues with post before. I live on a quiet street where most of my neighbours are helpful, and I’m confident that if the letter had gone to a different address, it would have been brought around or returned to sender. What I can’t understand is that this would have had to happen twice, as I’ve received no correspondence whatsoever.

Additionally, I live in a mid-terraced house on my own, so I do not have shared mailboxes, and there is no one else who could have taken the post in error. I’ve always been meticulous about my car paperwork and would never overlook something as important as a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP), as I am fully aware of the consequences of doing so. In fact, I received a NIP from the same police force a few years ago and responded promptly at that time.

I’ve since managed to speak with the courts, who have emailed me what appears to be an appeals form. They also included the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) notice that West Yorkshire Police allegedly sent me, which is dated 04/12/24. However, they did not include the original NIP, which they claim was sent in May 2024.

Questions:

1. Do I need to contact West Yorkshire Police, or would this complicate my case? I still have not received any evidence showing my car speeding. While chances are it was me driving, should I be pleading guilty when I haven’t been formally charged?


2. Is it better to have a Statutory Declaration drafted by a solicitor to strengthen my case, or would it make little to no difference?



Many thanks.